Spindle adapter



Dec. 28, 1948. J. c. RENFROE SiINDLE ADAPTER Filed NOV. 17, 1947 Patented Dec. 28, 1948 UNITED :s .lPAT an r onnes I SBINHLE ADAPTER v Joseph 12.3mm, 'Jac'ksomiillefFla,

' mppiicatronmoventber 17, Ya'947 iSe1- ialfifin. diorama (crises-190) This invention relates to improvementsun spmdle 'adapters.

An object'of the invention is rt'oipnoviueaamimproved spindle adapteriior positioning upon the front wheel axle spindles after the wheels have been removed so that thesa'm'emay be supported in a suitablemachine or apparatus-whiletestsare being inade'to determinekingipininclination, degree of camber and caster, degree (if t'oein or'out, and for axle alig'riment.

Another object of the invention is to provide'an improved form of axle spindle adaptercomDEiSing a spindle adapter sleeve which'is tubularin shape and is stepped and of reduced diameter from its inner end to its outer end, together with means formed through the wall of the spindle for supporting ball bearings for engaging the outer surface of an axle spindle, and inner and outer cylindrical hubs or bushings formed with angularly disposed bearing surfaces engageable with said ball bearings when said hubs or bushings are threaded upon the axle spindle.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved axle spindle adapter which will include a ball bearing sleeve disposable upon the wheel spindle, and detachable threaded hubsor bushings of different interior diameters threadable on the axle spindle for assuring proper and perfect support of the axle spindle when placed in the V-shape yoke of a spindle testing machine or apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved axle spindle adapter which will be highly efficient in operation, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture and produce.

Other objects will appear as the description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this application,

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the improved spindle centering sleeve showing the same applied upon an axle spindle and supported in the yoke of an axle spindle testing machine or apparatus;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 22 of Figure 1, and

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Like characters of reference are used throughout the following specification and the accompanying drawings to designate corresponding parts.

In carrying out the invention, there is provided and illustrated an axle spindle I extending outwardly from the housing plate 2 for a front wheel mfia motor vehicle -(not Yshownl, Itheisame ,ibein g spiazotallytsupportedsuponthausuatkinggpindi.

,.-'I 'he l-axlevspindle I I ds tof-the iusual vconstnuctlorl, ibeingxoutwardly tapered and liormed with inner eandmuter cylindrical-ahearingssurltacestd tand fitof .respeotivelyglarge andlsmalldiameter. ".Thetout'er send f gthesspindlex I siszexternallyrthneadedtasiatfi.

JIhe improved axlespindlasleevel'llisttub ilar in steppedawith-theinnenandmuter: portions r al-and :9 being enlarge and .-smafll I diameter mespeotively. r'llhe iinner tend of -.the sleeve a! ;;is formed withaa laterally extending. z-peripherel lfiangei I ll ifortengaging landalyingaflushcagainst the housing plate 2 when the adapter is in position on the axle spindle I.

The intermediate tubular portion of the spindle sleeve is externally threaded as at II, and the larger portion 8 of the sleeve is radially bored to provide the housings I2 for the reception of ball bearings I3 which engage the large cylindrical bearing surface 4 on the spindle I.

The outer reduced end 9 of the sleeve is also radially ported to provide housings I5 for the receptlon of the ball bearings I6 which contact and roll on the small cylindrical bearing surface 5 on the spindle I.

The sleeve is externally threaded on its outer end as at I8 for purposes hereinafter described.

An inner cylindrical hub or bushing I9 is internally threaded on its outer end and is adapted to thread on the external threads I I on the inner end of the sleeve until the hub or sleeve is in its proper position with the angular annularl disposed bearing surface 20 firmly contacting the ball bearings I3.

An outer stepped cylindrical hub or bushing 2| is internally threaded as at 22 in its outer end for threading upon the external threads I8 on the outer end of the sleeve I. An angularly disposed annular bearing seat 23 is provided in the enlarged inner portion of the hub or bushing 2I for engaging and firmly contacting the ball bearings I6 when said hub or bushing 2I is in its proper position upon the axle spindle I.

Radially extending spanner wrench openings or sockets 24 and 25 will be formed respectively in the hubs or bushings I9 and 2|.

A radical threaded opening 26 will be formed through the central wall of the sleeve for detachably receiving the threaded inner end 21 of a hand lever 28 for rotating the sleeve upon the axle spindle I.

A supporting yoke 29 is shown pivotally mounted upon a bearing pin 30 at the upper end of an arm 3| of a spindle testing machine or apparatus (not shown).

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that there has been devised and provided a highly efficient and relatively inexpensive axle spindle adapter for use in supporting an axle spindle while being tested.

While the preferred embodiment of the instant invention has been illustrated and described,;*it will be understood that it isnot intended to limit the, scope of the invention thereto, as many minor changes in detail of cone struction may be resorted to without departure from the spirit of the invention. -7-

Having thus described my inventionQwhat I claim is:

1. An axle spindle adapter comprising an elongated, cylindrical sleeve having circumferi lly disposed radial passages formed there:

through adjacent its opposite ends, ball bearings in said passages, and threaded hubs or-bushings having angular circumferentially disposed bearing surfaces adapted to engage said'ball bearings.

2. An axle spindle and an adapter" therefor comprising an elongated stepped cylindrical sleeve formed with circumferentially disposed passages therethrough adjacent its opposite ends, ball hearings in said passages adapted to bear on said spindle, and threaded hubs or bushings having angular circumferentially disposed bear-' 'ing surfaces threadable on said threaded sleeve adapted to engage said ball bearings. 1 "3. An axle spindle and an adapter therefor comprising an elongated stepped cylindrical sleeve formed with circumferentially disposed passages therethrough adjacent its opposite ends, ball bearings in said passages adapted to bear on said spindle, threaded hubs or bushings having angular circumferentially disposed bearing surfaces threadable on said threaded sleeve adapted to engage said ball bearings, and said hubs being provided with spanner wrench sockets in their outer or peripheral surfaces.

4. An axle spindle and an adapter therefor comprising an elongated stepped cylindrical sleeve formed with circumferentially disposed passages therethrough adjacent its opposite ends, ball bearings in said passages adapted to bear l on saidspindle, threaded hubs or bushings havingangular circumferentially disposed bearing surfaces threadable on said threaded sleeve adapted to engage said ball bearings, said hubs being provided with spanner wrench sockets in their outer or peripheral surfaces, said sleeve being formed with a radial threaded bore, and a threaded handle in said threaded bore.

JOSEPH C. RENFROE.

- REFERENCES. CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Witt Aug. 6, 1935 Number 

